SN41G2 Random Crashing

[NickB]

Have got a mate's Shuttle SN41G2 here, it's crashing randomly (well not really randomly, but I can't find a reason for it). It crashes during graphicly intense stuff (i.e. games), but is fine during normal operation.

What happens is that it reaches a certain point and then the system totally powers down and restarts, no blue screens, errors etc.

Currently the machine is using the onboard graphics, but we can't find any reason why it should be crashing.

Here are the specs:
Athlon 2600+
512MB RAM

Is there any reason why it would be crashing in this way?
Nick

[Sinizterguy]

PSU problems ?

Overheating processor ?

Overheating gfx card ?

I had a PC where during a game one specific scene always made it crash. Turned out the gfx card was overheating.

[conan]

My guess would be overheating, either of the systtem as a whole or the onboard GFX chip. How about taking the case off and running it? Even better, take the case off and have a desk fan blowing air into it. If it still crashes then at least you've eliminated one possibility:)

[NickB]

When it's crashed I've gone and checked the temps available in the BIOS, everything seems to be fine, 45/45 degress for the CPU and 35 ish for the board. Not too sure how this relates to the graphics chipset. Will try and see about running it with the case off.
Nick

[KingNic]

try changing the RAM - i've heard of issues with RAM and crashing in certain shuttles.

[PJ Matthews]

I have had stability issues too in the past with similar set ups which have been down to:

Drivers (update or total re install (i.e consider a re format)).
Daemon - This is such a bugger especially with games such as Unreal.
Direct X

Also make sure Windows has all the updates from the windows site as a number of bugs get fixed rather quickly thanks to this update system.

[Nitrix]

Is the shuttle on a network cos i had all hell with my 42 and network drivers :o

[Nitrix]

Did you ever get this sorted cos ive just changed around my shuttle, im now running on shuttle graphics and now mines crashing all the time to........:o

[ling_thing]

i found on my sn41g2 that if i tried running the memory at ddr400 speeds while tryign to use the onboard graphics then it would crash - well jsut restart itself when i went to play ut2k4
temps where fine at the time - so its not that

i think there there is a faq about it on shuttles web site though
http://www.shuttle.com/share/fae/hq/faq/sff/qa/Shuttle%20SN41G2%20XPC.htm


Q8
According to the SN41G2 detail specification, the DDR400 can¡¦t perform at its frequency(MHz) while onboard VGA is connected. Why?

A8
Based on the nVidia Chipset specification and design guide, DDR400 will perform at optimal performance when only AGP card is installed and connected. However, if DDR400 is capable to work with its own speed(frequency) while onboard VGA is connected, it would consider as overclocking. Again, overclocking is not recommended by Shuttle and it may cause damaged to both mainboard and peripherals (devices).

[Nitrix]

Cheers for that my man

you are right on that 1 wacked in a old a$$ed gpu and no crashes, just need to buy a new 1 now :(

[NickB]

My mate's problem was solved by changing the RAM. It had a single generic 333 512MB module in it. Swapped it for two 266 256MB modules and it's now working fine.
Nick

[p3rfect]

Mine does the random crashing thing... I get a red LED on the mbo that indicates overheating. I've had it quite a while and never sorted the problem, instead I leave the case off and it runs fine...

According to SpeedFan:

HDD1:55C
Temp2:52C
HD0:54C
Temp3:53C
Temp1:47C

I'm so sick of the NOISE of this thing as well (admitedly mostly due to the video card) that I am gonna strip it, buy a new PC and use the Shuttle as a 2k3 server. Problem solved.